As a feature of CNNhealth.com, our team of expert doctors will answer readers' questions. Here's a question for Dr. Gupta.

From Lloyd Bartley, Bowling Green, Kentucky

“How close are scientists to developing a cure for herpes, figuratively speaking will we be seeing a break through in 10, 20, or even 30 years?”

Answer:

Well, Lloyd, there is good news and bad news on the herpes front. The good news: Researchers have made serious strides and now better understand the mechanism behind herpes outbreaks. The bad news: There is very little funding for that research.

After receiving your question we reached out to a leading herpes expert, Bryan Cullen, the director at the Center for Virology at Duke University. Cullen is hopeful that a cure for herpes could come within 10 years, once funding hurdles are crossed.

Nearly one in five people over age 12 in the U.S. is affected by herpes. It is caused by a virus - either the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Both strains can cause genital herpes, but HSV-1 usually infects the mouth and produces cold sores.

Despite funding challenges, Cullen and his team are inching closer to a cure. They conducted a study recently that identified the pathway herpes takes as it infects. They now know how herpes embeds itself into the cells and how it eludes treatment. Now that they have honed in on the physiology of the disease - and its triggers - researchers believe they are steps closer to creating drugs that could cure herpes.

While we wait for a cure, there are drugs out there that can at least suppress herpes. Three antiviral drugs: acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir are commonly recommended to quell outbreaks. A physician might recommend taking these drugs when an outbreak occurs to quiet symptoms; or taking them continuously to reduce the likelihood of an outbreak.

And of course the best way to avoid spreading herpes is to abstain from sex, but if you are sexually active, engage in safe-sex practices such as using condoms.

Editor's Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

soundoff(2,081 Responses)

How much can i say thanks to him he have done it for me also, i have been seeing post about him i never believe that his cure really work until now, i have been diagnosed with HSV 1 & 2 since 6 months now i have been looking for cure everywhere i even use remedies but nothing work until i was able to locate Dr abegbe post how people are write about his good work which gave me a great surprise that there is really cure i contacted him and explain to him about my suffering. He was able to send me the herbal cure to my house address and i was instructed to take the medicine for just 2 week, twice daily which i did and i cant believe my result really came out negative i am so happy right now, his email: Dr.abegbespellhome@gmail. com or dr.abegbespellhome@hotmail. com

I haven't tried the juice yet if you would like to try Everyday Detox promotes Healthy Liver Function Made with Organic Dandelion Root Herbal Dietary Supplement All Natural Herbal Tea it works don't know if it will cure it. I buy it at the health food store.

I suffered for 2 years with genital herpes from an ex that didn't even know she had it. I was depressed for a long time and finally got tired of taking a stupid pill just so the burning feeling would go away. I did some research one day and came across a product that "CLAIMED" to fix herpes in one minute. I check it out and you know what they weren't lying. I went from having 4 break outs a year to only one and that is after 8 months of using this formula. You have to see this ==>

Living with Herpes is really hard, especially when you are a single. According to a report from the largest Herpes singles dating site herpessupport.net, 98% of its members who used to be on a general dating site to find the love and support were rejected by others. That could be the reason that why herpessupport.net is so popular and now has more than 650,000 members.

there are several ways to manage the outbreak. Now, almost 2 years later, I'm in a great place. I hardly ever get any outbreaks, I have a great support network of friends on a largest herpes support dating site HerpesandDating.net. So Stop thinking that way!

I am a successful entrepreneur and would like to donate 1 million dollars to this research. I am also beginning to organize my own fund to help raise more money to this cause as well. The problem is to what organization or to whom do I donate these funds to. I am aware of the drug company politics so I need to step carefully. If you are a scientist in this field feel free to contact me: pegasusf8@gmail.com
Serious emails only please. And I will not reply to bogus leads.

your help and concearn is so very appreciated (understatement) my children, my wife and I have the virus!...please!..stay on the path for a cure! It's the children, they did nothing to deserve this, my negligence in practicing safe sex has scorned us all!..I am by no means rich, but would donate what ever I could if you leave information!....thank you soooo much, Bruce,

Pegasusf-
If you are indeed serious about your donation, thank you. I am a victim of spousal betrayal, and I do have the virus now. It is difficult to deal with, and I am just waiting for the day for a true cure! It's very embarassing living w this virus. Again, if you are serious,and will make this donation, Thank you! You are much appreciated! Heather

You are not alone even though you have herpes. Find others with herpes singles at site named HerpesSupport.net you may be upset and think your sexual life is over. However, once you settle down and learn the facts, you'll realize that having herpes is not the end of the world, and it's not the end of your social life.

HI there. I'm just a regular guy who is dealing with this virus. It hasn't been easy but I don't want to become a victim of it. I want to help find a solution. I was thinking on creating a fundrising but have no experience. My background is architecture. But it seems like you have. I would like to volunteer to help in you fundrising efforts if possible.
Thanks

I would love to see a cure some day, and I am holding my breath, but I don't think that the medical industry will allow it to happen. They benefit from selling medications that help prevent or decrease outbreaks. The profit from these medications is most likely higher than what the profit from a cure would be. I hope I am wrong.

gm...if u're serious bout donating to find a cure....y don't u contact the leading herpes expert, Bryan Cullen, the director at the Center for Virology at Duke University, whose mentioned in the above artice. i have recently been diagnosed with type 2 and need a cure FAST! i hate that i was so ignorant and careless in contracting this uncurable disease. my email is bensont93@yahoo.com. keep me updated...thx!

* found this article...it names a researcher at Duke University that is working on this with limited funds..hope this is helpful...

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When will we see a herpes cure?

As a feature of CNNhealth.com, our team of expert doctors will answer readers' questions. Here's a question for Dr. Gupta.

From Lloyd Bartley, Bowling Green, Kentucky

“How close are scientists to developing a cure for herpes, figuratively speaking will we be seeing a break through in 10, 20, or even 30 years?”

Answer:

Well, Lloyd, there is good news and bad news on the herpes front. The good news: Researchers have made serious strides and now better understand the mechanism behind herpes outbreaks. The bad news: There is very little funding for that research.

After receiving your question we reached out to a leading herpes expert, Bryan Cullen, the director at the Center for Virology at Duke University. Cullen is hopeful that a cure for herpes could come within 10 years, once funding hurdles are crossed.

Nearly one in five people over age 12 in the U.S. is affected by herpes. It is caused by a virus – either the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Both strains can cause genital herpes, but HSV-1 usually infects the mouth and produces cold sores.

Despite funding challenges, Cullen and his team are inching closer to a cure. They conducted a study recently that identified the pathway herpes takes as it infects. They now know how herpes embeds itself into the cells and how it eludes treatment. Now that they have honed in on the physiology of the disease – and its triggers – researchers believe they are steps closer to creating drugs that could cure herpes.

While we wait for a cure, there are drugs out there that can at least suppress herpes. Three antiviral drugs: acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir are commonly recommended to quell outbreaks. A physician might recommend taking these drugs when an outbreak occurs to quiet symptoms; or taking them continuously to reduce the likelihood of an outbreak.

And of course the best way to avoid spreading herpes is to abstain from sex, but if you are sexually active, engage in safe-sex practices such as using condoms.

Editor's Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

If this post is legitimate, you can search for the man in the article: Bryan Cullen, the director at the Center for Virology at Duke University. Cullen is hopeful that a cure for herpes could come within 10 years, once funding hurdles are crossed.

My now ex boyfriends negligence in safe sex and negligence in being faithful has caused me to be scorned with this disease of what feels like a curse. My job is unsatisfied with my work lately because some days when I have an outbreak its too severe to the point Im in too much pain to work. I haven't even really gotten to experience the world of dating, I feel like I can't even look my own self in the mirror anymore. He broke up with me, and I took it harsh not only for the fact that I loved him for over 6 years and we were high school sweethearts or so I thought, but more so because he lefte with something I can't get rid of and he's the one who infected me but got rid of me and told me I was taking the situation and making a big deal of it.. He didn't give me the right to choose if I wanted to deal with this consequence. I thought I could trust him. Now every time I want to date a guy and have sex I have to have a long embarrassing talk about the risks they're taking when dealing with me.

I also have it and was given it in my last relationship of three years. When I broke out with it a year into the relationship we had him tested too and he tested positive so we didn't worry about our sex life except the inconvenience of the outbreaks I had. Now he has broken up with me and I know I will not feel comfortable being with someone who is not also infected. I have found out that there are a number of dating sites for people with herpes and once I am ready to date again that is the direction I will go. No embarrassing talks and rejection which I could not handle. Unfortunately I have found that condoms only protect to a certain extent since the virus lives in the tissue not covered by the condom and people who have never had an outbreak can spread the virus and most people who have do not know they have it. So safe sex isn't so are after all...

For all those that want to rid themselves of this disease and improve their health overall and live a longer and fuller life with an abundance of energy; a long with a better understanding of why we have diseases and degnerative disease Please feel free to e-mail me filipino.nino@gmail. I am seriously tired of people suffering because of the government, Big Pharma, and politicians wanna keep a billion dollar industry up and running. The money is never in the cure, the money is in the treatment.

I have lived with this emotional torture for over 20 years. It has destroyed my life and cost me thousands of dollars in lost opportunities and treatments. When I get depressed over this during a recurrence it affects my job performance. This stuff is hell!

what I would like to know if anyone has also read this article on cureforherpes.info It says latest news for 2011 I googled it and the article comes out for 2010 has anyone really moved up in the research or are people just reprinting stores?

I was wondering if there was a cure for genital herpes, I,ve had this desease for about 17 years and I just want it to go away already... I'm so tired of this embarassing desease... Please. Pretty please let me know?!?

Hi, all. I too live with the virus and was once emotionally down like some of you. I was infected by a women who was either unaware she had it or did not care that she was having an outbreak. I was wearing a condom and still was infected.

After a lot of reading and talking to some I just learned that life goes on and the pesty virus is not the end of the world. All we have is a skin condition in which me must avoid contact with others during outbreaks. Once I did that my outbreaks reduced significantly. Go out........Date people take your meds,workout, eat right and live life. For those who cases are more severe Im sorry and wish you much luck with the battle

I liked your comment thought you might be a good person to talk to. I was just diagnosed a month ago and have tried to be as optimistic as possible. My symptoms mild but I could really use some advice on dating and keeping partners safe. Please e-mail me at: crystalday2012@yahoo.com

Hello I am a mother of three beautiful sons, I alway been health conscious, alway getting all kind of tests including Hiv tests. I one day went to my GYN and ask for the herpes test. He ask me why do I want that test because that test is not required but I just wanted to know. When I found out that I had both and he explain to me that u do not know who you caught from, that u could of had the disease for over 20 years I was in shock. When I first found out I had it I told my husband that I been married for over 24 years. I feel so bad that I told him, it is like he didnot want to hear it. So I said you have to get tested too hun. He then agreed to get tested, So he has Hepres 1 I have Herpes 1 and 2. I was trying to tell him that really there is no difference. The only difference is that the public calls herpes 1 the good herpes, and herpes 2 the bad one. If you do the research there is no difference, My life has been a living hell since the rejection from my husband I feel like he hates me. I would like to know where I can get support.

Hello people I have herpies and about to go on my first date. I don't know how to bring it up to this person or even what she might think of my one mistake 3 years ago to louse my v card. It's the first girl that I really started to let in my life. So does any one have any tips or can anyone tell me if medavir really works thx

I found this, could it possibly help someone? Here's a little about it and a link at the end with more info and an informative video.. check it out! Carrie

How It Works -Treatments
The Cure
The device works in wave length diapason from 0.1Hz to 10 KHz. "Deta-AP13" allows for the treatment of infections as well as diseases associated with infections through programs designed for this device. The treatment program method is simple, easily accessible and does not require special training. Electromagnetic waves are able to pass through the body with ease, which is the reason for the right therapeutic effect of the device. The high precision of the wave frequency setting allows the device to target specific infections causing their elimination.
The therapeutic effect of "Deta-AP13" device is based on the modern scientific outlook, which is described in the methodological recommendations.

I lived with this VIRUS for more than half my,im 44 now.Ever since that time i have researched for cures.There is many FALSE products out there,even more so online.Over the years i have lived with this on my penis and then somehow someway it had migrated to my buttocks.Back in 2000 i tried a topical cure from AUSTRAILIA called COPPER SULFATE,you put it on the outbreak and your cured...NO your NOT!.This stuff made my outbreaks spread and worsen in SEVERITY and FREQUENCY.So for the last 10+ years my life had been anything but NORMAL,Think about it,i have herpes on my ass,and now i CANNOT sweat in fear of it carrying VIRUS to rectal area.My outbreaks WERE a monthly visit until i CURED MYSELF..I was very scared on one occurance and i decided to try something and it worked.My better half suffered from Oral cold sores since she was a teen and i tried it on her and her outbreak was healed in 24 hr period.Its been 15 months since my last outbreak.I have treid to solicit Patent attorneys with offer of partnership to NO AVAIL,i also emailed MERCK's Discovery website and they basically told me they don't want my cure and the were worried about licensing issues.Again Who's in control of our world?....NOT THE PEOPLE!

Thomas Kerns, can you PLEASE email me with your cure. Im so depressed and desperate not for myself but because I believe I might have infected my nephew by my ignorance of this virus, PLEASE email me!!

Hello again to Mr. Kerns, I guess it would be helpful if I give you an email address right!! By the way I'm sure everybody asking for your help would gladly compensate you for it. But like a said for me it's about my little nephew I don't want him to go through this PLEASE have a heart (efarias64@gmail.com)

I understand your situation and totally believe that you should benefit from your findings but us sufferers would also appreciate to benefit from your success. Would you be happy to receive a private donation from myself with my oath of confidentiality for your successful treatment? I would be more than happy to reward you for your findings for my future.

I'm 19 years old and i just found of i have HSV-1 and I'm scared out of my witts i havent had an out break yet but I feel like now i have change my whole life for this and I hope they find a cure for it I'm praying they do but if anyone needs emotional support i'm 100% here cause i know what your going through my email it marissa_elaine@ymail.com

i am 24 years old and i have HSV-2. i have lived with it for 2 years . i recently had an out break and i have been soo down. i could ride my horse. my friends have to drag me out of my house because i dont want to move. my friends have been really supportive of me thank goodness. when i first found out my doctor just told me and then hung up. i was like wow. no taking to me about it? so my friends had to pick me off the floor because i was crying. i feel like my life is really ruined from this. i want to date but dont want to because i have heard storys from people who have the virus and tell the other person and then get turned down. so i only wish to date and look at guys but i know i cant be with be with any of them.

Im 27 years old and due to a sorted adolescence, have been a severe sex addict. I got the virus from a woman who was brave enough to share, and although wearing protection and her not having an outbreak, I still was infected. Ive been lucky enough since to find love and am getting married soon. My confidence is renewed by her everytime I have an outbreak. Shes also worked with me very intently on my sexual addictions and has been solid support at every turn. What Im saying is, when one door closes, another opens. This virus has made me reassess my lifestyle and focus on what matters more than cheap sexual encounters, which is making deep connections with meaninful people who will love you no matter what. Everyone of us is deserving of love, and anyone who would deny you that doesnt deserve you. We can overcome, we can find true love and one day soon, we can all beat this.

I have only had herpes 2 for about 8 months.Do some more research on herpes guys there is a cure if you actually take the time out to really look find were most diseases come from in your body? find out how you can feel better through foods like carrots raw vegs. and things from the health foods store cleanses if its healthy for you and other items it all a process but its well with it to feel normal again and to be happier in life.

Living with this monster, because that is what i consider this to be: a monster, has been the most difficult thing i have ever encountered in my short 20 years of life. I made a choice that I will regret for the rest of my life. I'm not sure how someone can get over this, or "learn to live with it." I can't shake this feeling of despair. 1 in every 5 is infected with this disease, it's a shame there is no cure. The emotional consequences of living with this are far worse than the physical.

I am a 30 year old guy that was infected by my ex-girlfriend and I have been "lucky" that in the past 6 years I have only had 3 breakouts where there has been any real pain or discomfort. The unfortunate part of this is that we were at the point where things were off and on several times and shortly after our last encounter I met a great girl. I unknowingly passed this on to her. I feel horrible about this because her outbreaks are more frequent and severe than mine. It is a horrible feeling to carry to know that this person who is so sweet and caring has been devastated by this. Also horrible is that I think that my ex knowingly did this because our relationship had gotten so ugly.

Hey all,
Just an update, I had posted about a free dating site that I created in order to help me deal with herpes, http://www.hsvsinglesdating.com

When I started this site, it was just a group of friends that were involved in it, and it really helped me deal with herpes in terms of doing a lot of research and better understanding the virus. I have managed to meet such great people in the herpes community, which is really a lot bigger than what you all think, trust me you are not alone out here.

The website that I created, is 100 percent free, has about 1000 members now, growing nicely, never will I ask an existing member of this site to pay a cent.

Apart from offering people the oppertunity to meet in terms of dating, this site also is made to connect the community to each other, on the site I explain how to access (secret facebook groups) by secret it means that no friends can see that you belong to such groups, though many herpsters do creat fake profile pages for these groups. list of some of the facebook groups can be found here http://www.hsvsinglesdating.com/index.php?dll=Support%20Groups

I also try to include all the events that are taking place in and around the united states, events are when fellow herpsters get together and meet in the flesh, they get to chat and make some great friends.

For a nice page on the updates about cure research, have a look at this page, http://www.herpescure.webs.com/ was created by a guy called Wally Damron, who is really one of the most clued up people I have ever met concerning HSV.

Also guys, please dont purchase any proclaimed cures you see off the web, they are all scams, there are herbal suplements that can reduce Outbreaks, but thats all they do, reduce Outbreaks, not cure them.

Hello everyone. I know the HELL you are all going through. There is a cure! Relax, you can rid yourself of herpes.. Of course its kind of expensive but what do you have to lose? Hundreds have been cured! I am a GOD FEARING WOMAN and I wouldnt DARE lie or play about something so serious. Please, anyone, contact me for more info at smmrsmissm@aol.com. I want to help all of you.. I know what you are going through and there IS A CURE.. NOT TREATMENT, A CURE!!!

Dear Mr.Kerns if you could email me what ever you did i would be so thankful. i am an athlete and don't know what it will do to my career as well as my girlfriend is particularly depressed we don't who gave it to who but we are desperate. if you don't mind my email is vines_jordan11@yahoo.com

Having herpes is not such a major problem as contracting HIV or HPV however in the dating game herpes is still a very difficult scenario to deal with. HerpesSupport.net is designed especially for people who are suffering from any form of STD so that they can find others just like them. Not only will you find like minded people on this HIV, HPV and herpes dating site but you may just find the partner of your dreams.

I'm barely 20 years old and recently got it, I don't know how to deal with this still. Its very embarrassing and I just can't picture living a normal life again...This is just a nightmare for me and I hope there will be a cure very soon. Some people just don't deserve to have something like this. I never thought this would happen to me.. 😦

I'm even younger than you... You know they say mostly it is a sexually transmitted disease? Well I have never had sex or anything like that as I want to wait till marriage or at least until I'm a bit older than I am now... My parents don't have it either. The only way I could have gotten it is one of those 'rare' – supposedly rare anyway – times when someone gets it from a public toliet seat or something like that. I feel so cursed. Just feel depressed. Haven't told anyone.

I've had this curse since I was a child, I don't know how or where I got it. I haven't had an outbreak since I was 11 so picture in my teens, 20's then come my mid 30's I get the Depo shot & it triggers frequent out breaks. I long since stop the D.shots & thought I knew my triggers but still I am getting them. I am tired of investing money for treating it. I want to invest my money for curing it. If Dr. Cullen is serious about a cure & needs funding I will surely donate what I can. PLEASE IT IS TIME FOR A CURE FOR THIS UGLY DISEASE. PLEASE ANYONE READING THIS HELP...I FEEL LIKE I WANT TO DIE!!!

i have put together a bit of information covering some great topics for herpes, for support groups have a look at http://bit.ly/Lghvlk for worldwide statistics on herpes http://bit.ly/JMddBm , where does the herpes stigma come from http://bit.ly/L8XpbX How does HSV spread http://bit.ly/K5r9Xf How to prevent herpes from spreading http://bit.ly/JxfRfP different herpes medications, Generics and side effects http://bit.ly/JxfRfP How to tell someone that you have herpes http://bit.ly/M3C5JM
Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/#!/hsvsingles or come have a look at my facebook page on.http://fb.me/KnTiiy

Explore Ayurvedic(alternative medicine) which doesn't have side effects .So many cases of HERPES viral infection has been cured by a simple herbal formulation and that too with a shortest period of timeVaidya D S Bakshi has developed this very promising formulation. Hope researchers should take up this formulation for the complete cure of Herpes viral infection.

May I just say what a comfort to find an individual who truly understands what they are discussing over the internet. You definitely realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people should check this out and understand this side of the story. I was surprised that you're not more popular given that you surely have the gift.

Thomas Kerns, can you PLEASE email me with your cure. Im so depressed and desperate not for myself but because I believe I might have infected my nephew by my ignorance of this virus, PLEASE email me!!

Hello again to Mr. Kerns, I guess it would be helpful if I give you an email address right!! By the way I'm sure everybody asking for your help would gladly compensate you for it. But like a said for me it's about my little nephew I don't want him to go through this PLEASE have a heart (efarias64@gmail.com)

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